St. Olaf College
- Health & Safety

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St. Olaf is an extraordinarily safe place. Students usually feel comfortable leaving their doors unlocked. When you head to the cafeteria, you’re likely to see piles of student backpacks, and even computer bags, left unguarded without any worry. Of course, there are occasional incidents. A couple times a year laptops are stolen from unlocked rooms. Also, a few times a year, students, usually females, will report forcible fondlings or, even less often, rape. Severe occurrences of theft, violence, or sexual assault remain few and far between.

This sanctuary-like environment is not the result of an intense security presence but is most likely the result of certain geographic and cultural factors. Olaf’s hilltop location in a small Minnesota town definitely lends itself to the campus’ safety. Also, the College and most of its students place sincere emphasis on personal and community values. Residence halls are unlocked until midnight, when they can be unlocked with a student keycard. Each hall also has a student working the front desk until midnight on the weekdays and 2 a.m. on the weekends, but students, guests, and visitors are granted free roam without signing in or out. There are a few scattered emergency phones on campus in case a student needs assistance for any reason, and the public safety officers can also be seen patrolling the campus 24 hours a day.

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Health & Safety at St. Olaf College

kanders

'15

Pre-Medicine Studies

4.6

A

Health and Safety of St. Olaf College

I have never felt unsafe during my time at St. Olaf.

People often leave their backpacks laying around, with their valuables in them. People are very friendly, and I've never heard of any of my friends getting objects taken from them.

Even at night, I've never felt insecure, or worried. Public safety is often seen patrolling during all times of the day.

Nov 09, 2011

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Health & Safety at St. Olaf College

coopercf

'14

Economics and Econometrics

4.6

A

Public Safety

There is no crime present on St. Olaf campus. There has never been a reported theft in my time at St. Olaf and people would rather help you find something than steal it. The campus security has a presence but it is not too overbearing. They break up parties and give out parking tickets way too often.

Nov 06, 2011

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Health & Safety at St. Olaf College

mckinney

'13

Environmental Studies

5.0

A+

Very Safe

I have never felt even remotely threatened while on campus, or anywhere in Northfield! The campus is very open, you always run into people you know, and it feels like a family. The tight-knit community creates a safe, fun environment. Also, there isn't crime on campus. Our PO boxes don't have locks, and people leave their computers and backpacks laying around all the time, so there's not a threatening feeling at all.

Jul 07, 2011

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